Minka Kelly Interview CHARLIE’S ANGELS

In ABC’s upcoming incarnation of Charlie’s Angels, a thief, a street racer and a cop, all of whom got in just a little too deep, are getting their second chance working for the elusive Charlie Townsend. Detectives who are equal parts fearless and beautiful, the angels – Park Avenue princess turned thief, Abby Sampson (Rachael Taylor), disgraced Miami cop Kate Prince (Annie Ilonzeh), and the mysterious Eve (Minka Kelly) – are helped by hot computer hacker Bosley (Ramon Rodriguez), who certainly doesn’t mind being surrounded by the powerful women.

During a recent interview to promote this glamorous, action-packed re-imagining of the 1970s smash hit series, actress Minka Kelly talked about being a fan of the female camaraderie that Charlie’s Angels is known for, the appeal of playing a bad-ass, that there is a lot of depth and emotion among all of the eye candy, how much she enjoys learning new skills for each episode’s adventure, and how hilarious it is that she’s considered a sex symbol. She also said that she doesn’t think she’ll be able to return for any more episodes of the NBC drama Parenthood, as it films in Los Angeles and her new series is in Miami. Check out what she had to say after the jump:

Question: Had you been looking for a series, after Friday Night Lights ended?

MINKA KELLY: I wasn’t necessarily looking for another series. I was just looking for another job, and this was just very attractive to me. I thought that it was a great script. I loved the people involved. I was very excited at the opportunity to work with Mr. [Leonard] Goldberg and Drew Barrymore, and just the level of passion that she had for it made it impossible for me to not want to be a part of it. Just the camaraderie of the three women, I was very attracted to that. And then, the fact that we all have broken pasts is something that I’m very attracted to, along with being able to turn your life around and do good with it. That’s something that I’m excited about, along with playing a different character than I’ve ever played before. This girl is a bit of a badass, and she’s not broken by a boy. I’m excited about that, and to be surrounded by these strong, beautiful, smart women.

What did you identify with most, from the original series?

KELLY: The camaraderie between the women is something that I was really attracted to and I was a fan of. I’m excited to be a part of that.

What is it about your life and background that you see in common with your character, Eve?

KELLY: Well, the thing about Eve is that, because she was an orphan and she was on her own her entire life, and she had to fight for and fend for herself to survive, I think I have a lot in common with her, on that aspect. I am an only child and I was raised by a single mother, and we moved around a lot. I understand what that’s about. And, I also understand what it is to create your own family. I’m really attracted to that aspect of the show, as far as making these girls and Bosley my family. I’m not alone in that. I think there a lot of people in the world that have that in common with myself and Eve. It’s just one of the many things that I find to be very relatable to people, and why it will be really enjoyable to watch. Along with the eye candy and it all being so beautiful to watch, there is also a lot of depth and emotion as well.

In the pilot, Abby is very distrustful and weary of Eve. What will it take for Eve to win Abby over?

KELLY: In any solid, good relationship, it takes awhile to trust someone. That’s all. It’s just going to take a little time and proving myself, and just building the bond.

You will have a lot of undercover work in this show, starting with them being waitresses in the pilot. What other adventures are the Angels going to go on?

KELLY: I have a salsa dance coming up, which I’m very excited about. Bosley and I are going to go undercover and salsa dance. I’m looking forward to that.

How much say do you have in the clothes you wear?

KELLY: We’re actually able to give a lot of input. Our costume designer is incredible and she works with us. We all work together as a team, which is really nice. We’re all very comfortable. The three of us are dressed very differently. We all have our own individual style. I was excited to just really get into the tomboy aspect of it. My character is the least girlie of the three. I wear a lot of combat boots and cargo pants. Because I’m the new Angel, I have to get into dressing a little bit nicer, as opposed to just combat boots all the time. She’s more of the hippie, urban girl. Coming from Friday Night Lights and having to wear Target clothes every day, now I get to wear beautiful dresses, and Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, and beautiful shoes. It’s really fun.

How is Miami for you?

KELLY: I think Miami is such a beautiful, sexy, gorgeous place. I love the people there. The only thing about it is the weather. Trying to look cute while shooting outside, when the humidity matches the temperature, is always special. We’ve got hair sticking to the sides of our face.

What kind of skills have you enjoyed picking up for the show?

KELLY: I learned how to scuba dive, which is something that I’ve always wanted to do. I learned how to horseback ride in English style, which is very hard, by the way. I had no idea how challenging it was. I’ve always ridden horses, but Western is like riding a horse in a rocking chair, as opposed to English, where you have to balance and hold on with your legs. Learning how to salsa dance will be really fun. Every day is a new adventure, when we get these episodes, because it’s a new case.

How do you feel about having become a sex symbol?

KELLY: I think that’s hilarious. It’s incredibly flattering, of course, but if you knew me, in my daily life, you would laugh. You have to laugh at yourself. You can’t take any of that too seriously, otherwise I’d have to take the negative stuff just as seriously. So, I just take all of that with a grain of salt.

How do you stay in shape for all the physical work you do on the show?

KELLY: I have really, really good trainers. I do a lot of squats and lunges.

How did it shape you, change you and mold you as a person, to have moved around so much, as a child?

KELLY: I think it’s made me very adaptable. I’m very proud of the fact that I think you could put me in any room and I would be okay. I’m very touched by this subject. I think it’s made me a great person. I’ve lived a lot more than many people my age have, and I’ve seen a lot more. Hopefully, that will help bring a lot of depth to this character and give her a lot of layers.

Will you be doing any more Parenthood episodes, or are you done with that show?

KELLY: Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be back. I would if I could, but we’re shooting in Miami.

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